Colwood city council voted last week to put $30,000 towards the development of the Emily Carr WestShore Performing Arts and Education Centre.

The money, which will come out of a recently awarded $318,000 Small Community Grant from the province, will be used to conduct a feasibility study that will look at potential funding sources and the money matters of the project. The study will also develop a preliminary design for the centre and a business plan.

"It is time to bring together a real nuts and bolts vision for what we can bring to our community," Coun. Cynthia Day said, "with a view to be sustainable economically and to bringing economic diversity."

The centre is proposed to be built in Royal Bay and will feature a performance theatre, an art gallery, studios and a coffee house, among other elements.

"I think we need to be moving ahead on this business case, the feasibility study, because if it isn't feasible we need to drop it right now," Coun. Judith Cullington said. "We're at the point where we need to find out if this thing has good legs or not."

Council approved the funding on the condition that city staff will work with the task force to develop terms of reference. Colwood will also be looking into the possibility of raising money by way of a legacy fund through the Victoria Foundation.

The study is expected to be completed and presented to council in November.